A Vision Blossoming into Reality: Our Exploration into Agritourism
August 4, 2024The L’Aumondière: Where Our Roots Inspire Our Future
Nestled in the rolling orchards of Calvados, France, L’Aumondière stands on the very land where the Sallin family once farmed apples – long before their entrepreneurial journey brought them to Florida and ultimately led to the creation of IMG Enterprises. In 2025, the property underwent a thoughtful renovation that preserved the soul of the estate while preparing it for a new purpose: cultivating leadership, partnership, and long-term vision for our organization.
A Historic Property, Renewed With Purpose
At the heart of the estate is the Manor, a beautiful example of classic Montgomery architecture. Its lineage is visible in every detail—from the half timbered façade to the remarkable stone chimney dating back to the year 1525. The Manor now hosts four bedroom suites, a dormitory, and two conference rooms, blending modern comfort with the charm of its centuries-old character.
Across the way, the original Stables have also been restored and transformed. Once home to horses, hay, and the rhythms of daily farm life, the building now offers additional meeting spaces—both indoors and out—as well as five guest rooms for visiting teams and partners. Some of the historical texture remains intact: the forged metal hay feeders still line walls, and one of the conference rooms retains the original cement troughs, grounding the space in its agricultural past.
Additional farm buildings on the property once supported traditional Norman agriculture, including cider pressing and cheese making, both emblematic of the region’s heritage.
Layers of History
L’Aumondière’s story also includes a somber chapter. During World War II, the property was occupied by Nazi forces. The Manor housed military officers, while the Stables served as barracks for soldiers. The estate’s restoration honors this history with humility and respect, recognizing the resilience of the land and the people connected to it across generations.
A Center for Leadership + Partnership
Today, L’Aumondière serves as IMG Enterprises’ Center for Leadership + Partnership. It is a place where teams from IMG Citrus and Cherrylake come together for strategic retreats, innovation workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and leadership development programs. The environment encourages clarity, collaboration, and big-picture thinking, inviting teams to step away from daily operations and focus on long-term impact.
A European Headquarters With Global Reach
L’Aumondière is also home to IMG Citrus Europe. Through this subsidiary, IMG Citrus distributes fresh Florida grapefruit to markets across Europe, strengthening international partnerships and expanding the reach of a crop that has been central to the company’s identity for more than 40 years. This global connection adds another layer of purpose to the estate—linking our roots in France, our groves in Florida, and our customers around the world.
Here, surrounded by the origins of the founders, we reconnect with the values that have shaped our company for more than four decades: stewardship, entrepreneurship, resilience, and a commitment to people and the land.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
L’Aumondière is far more than a training site or meeting venue. It is a living link between the earliest chapter of the founding family’s agricultural story and the future we are working to build—together. By preserving its history and breathing new purpose into its walls, we honor where we come from while creating a place that inspires the leadership that will guide us forward.
